Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Under Sea Worldness of Chihuly-like Pumpkinery

The strange, fluid, other-worldliness of the pumpkin patch looks far more like it belongs under the sea than under my kitchen window

Sea Anemone or Landlubber Flower?

The flowing openess of the flowers. The languid look of the large petals. The coiling tendrils. It is all very, very fluid.

Ready to Swirl and Sway In the Ocean?

These are more like plants I would see on a scuba dive - ready to swirl and sway in an ocean current - than plants exposed on a dry, rocky outcrop.

No Elvis Here, Just Ringo

Some people see Elvis; others see fractals; I see sea anemones. The garden sets off free association imagery like dominoes knocking one image down against another image of experiences and pop culture, (and now add to it blogs,) in my head. In the days of hodden grey, the church and nature provided imagery stimulus so folks saw the Madonna in the tree bark. Nowadays of mass media culture people see Elvis in a gherkin or an Octopus's garden in a pumpkin patch.

...Or , how about Chihuly...

Picture of Chihuly's Persians - Photo credit unknown

Dale Chihuly is an artist whose glass sculptures - the Persians series - drift through the other-world of my pumpkin crevasse. No, I haven't eaten Datura, but I have blown glass .

Godly Gourd - The Good Pumpkin - Served At The First ThanksgivingCanada we have Thanksgiving in October Whilst Our American Neighbours in November

The Garden Brae pumpkin patch is actually more of a pumpkin crevasse. Pumpkins need a sunny, well-drained site. I planted mine in a crevasse on a hot, rocky outcrop and left them to fend for themselves. Nope, I didn't get involved in their sex life either. I left the male and female flowers to co-mingle with whatever bee - go- betweens that happened upon them.

And yet, with this neglect, they still graciously rewarded me with the beauty of their special world! Because of their location up on the rock and the sun shining through them I had a wonderful vantage of being below them looking up into their pumpkin realm, almost like I was floating through them. I feel kinda guilty though ....

Terry and Lisa (my sisters) Portraits in Pumpkin

The pumpkin abuse isn't over yet...in a couple of weeks they will go under the knife for pies and for my pumpkin art!

* * *Genius Loci thought: Pumpkins are kin to the spirit of the place. They thrived against the odds and settled in to the natural beauty of the landscape. Next year they get care, attention, and a wee bit of coaxing in their sex life.

25 comments:

Good Lord, are those portraits of your sisters done in real live true pumpkins? I have done a great spider or two with those fabulous pumpkin carving tools, but those are truly amazing. I mean worthy of some sort of "classic" status. Wow!

First it starts one year with some pumpkin seeds carelessly thrown on a hillside. The next year you decide to tend them. Next thing you know, you will be hooked, and entering the biggest pumpkin contest at the local fair.I enjoyed the pumpkin imagery, both blossoms and carvings.

I just wanted to add something, if I may. The Chihuly glass work is always otherworldly.......I have seen every single bit of his work I could possibly get my hands on. I feel that he is a monstrous huge figure in Modern American Art and I adore all his work. Huge kudos to you for using him - and with unique (to me) works of his to boot!

What a delicious treat this post is, as is all of your blog!You have such a witty way of looking at the world. Each post is a long awaited surprise, like marzipan in a stocking!(Thank you for your comments, very appreciated):)Those pumpkins and those images!Chihuly,sea anemones and I am reminded of Rafflesia, those huge flowers, only these are not stinky!Not at all, and I enjoyed your pleasure of observing them from above their crevasse.Just marvelous, and a wonderful way to start my day by reading Garden Brae!Best regards,Philip

Another wonderful post!!!I love the way you showed the similarities of the pumpkin flower to Chihuly art. I had always associated them with the anemones and am now delighted to see blooms too. And your carved pumpkin is amazing! I wonder what you will carve this year?It is always a pleasure to visit your blog!Have a beautiful day~Karrita

What a fantastic post....I love the comparisons with Chihuly's work. Was lucky enough a few years ago to visit his studio, the one with the art in the pool. Pumpkins are my favorite flesh....you done them proud!

Oh WOW! Thank you so much for leaving a comment at my blog--so that I could come here and find yours in return. That I couldn't wait to get to the next paragraph here says a lot... because I have typically rolled my eyes at all of the praise heaped upon Chihuly. But you make a very compelling case to counter my usual contention that he is overrated. :)

I see I'm very late. I love Dale Chihuly's work. Thanks for pointing out the similarity to your pumpkin flowers, vines and fruit. Last time I was in Seattle, he had so much work visible he was practically part of the natural landscape.